For the past 35 years, I've been a biochemist and immunologist engaged in the development of biopharmaceutical drugs-proteins (such as antibodies), engineered immune cells, and even engineered viruses (it's in Chapter 14)-that target human diseases at the molecular level. During my career, I've had the great privilege of participating in the development of innovative medicines for cancer, hemophilia, anemia, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis that have been used by millions of people around the world. I was born and raised on Long Island and left home to pursue a B.S. in chemistry from Haverford College and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Duke University. I am currently the President of Shenandoah Biotechnology Consulting, LLC, in Charlottesville, VA, where I reside with my beloved wife Deb. This book is the product of a long and exhilarating career in the scientific trenches of the biopharmaceutical industry and a seemingly natural consequence of my lifelong preoccupation with biology and medicine. I wrote Taming Cancer to pay forward the privilege I had of working at the leading edge of cancer drug development and to send a message of hope to cancer patients and their families throughout the world.
2024 GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS SILVER MEDAL WINNER! ""A marvelous book that's packed with knowledge, insight, and hope... A thrilling synopsis of the current condition of the fight against cancer... achieves his goal not only to provide a rigorous synopsis of the most recent research, but also to convey his ""enthusiasm and wonder"" for biology and medicine... he writes with admirable clarity.""-Kirkus Reviews Dr. Stetson Thacker, Ph.D. (Molecular Medicine) of Reedsy Discovery rates Taming Cancer A ""Must Read"" ""Kelner's work is both a tribute to the combined public and private attempt to alleviate the human tragedy of cancer. Kelner'swriting shines in its ability to distill complex scientific concepts into accessible language, making the content valuable for both laypersons and professionals."" ""A"" rating from Booklife Reviews by Publisher's Weekly ""Biochemist and immunologist Kelner offers welcome hope in this study of the history of science's understanding of cancer... Throughout, Kelner demonstrates a keen facility for the clarifying metaphor... This book bursts with good news.""